So nice to hear that Zihua is on your list of places to visit. We'll make you a margarita when you come!
We had always thought that we would retire in Mazatlan, and looked at several places. We ended up meeting friends that we had met at Mar Rosa in Mazatlan at their home in Ajijic, and going from there. We had visited Zihuatanejo in 1985 and pretty much passed through. In 2008ish, we joined them at El Manglar RV park in Zihuatanejo. OMG. After about 10 years of always spending at least a couple of months in that area, we bought our home, and have been here full time for 6 years now. Amazing decision on our parts.
For us, it's all about the ocean. Except Sundays, when we have to water our gardens, we hit the beach with our now 3 weimaraners for an hour, then come back, hose and drop them off, paddle our SUP's, ocean swim and are home about 9ish. WHAT A LIFE!!!!!
Keep exploring. We liked SMA, but really liked other areas very close by more. But, they didn't have the ocean that calls us.
Keep us posted, please, as to your adventures and thoughts!